The key to successful stain removal is acting fast. The sooner you try to remove a stain after it happens, the better your chance of success. If you encounter a stubborn stain, avoid drying it before re-retreating it, as heat – especially dryers and irons – can set stains permanently. Here are some first aid tips for stained garments:
**Coffee and tea
**Soak the garment overnight in detergent dissolved in water. The water should be as hot as the garment allows. Wash as usual.
Ballpoint inkIf possible, treat the garment immediately by applying methylated spirits to the reverse side of the fabric, holding a pad of clean, white cloth over the stain to absorb the removed ink. Repeat until no more ink can be removed. Unfortunately, complete removal of ink may be difficult to achieve. Soak the garment overnight in laundry detergent dissolved in water, as hot as the garment will allow. Wash as usual.
LipstickSome lippies can be harder to remove than others. Start by lightly dampening the area and gentle rubbing with a laundry soap before rinsing. If stain is removed, wash as normal. If not, sponge with methylated spirits and lightly rub with eucalyptus oil (always patch test before using either of these solutions). Wash as normal in water, as hot as the garment will allow.
BeetrootFlush the stain from the back with cold running water and wash immediately as normal. If the stain remains, soak overnight in dissolved laundry detergent in water, as hot as the garment will allow.
BloodNever treat blood stains with hot water as the stain will set. If the stain is fresh, flush it out under cold running water. If it remains or it is not fresh, soak the garment in a plastic bucket of cold, salted water (about 2 tbsp per litre) for several hours, then wash as normal.
Chewing gumTurn the garment chewing gum side out and place in a plastic bag in the freezer. Allow gum to harden. Remove from the freezer and break the gum off the surface of the garment. Any residual gum can be removed with eucalyptus oil. Wash as usual.
BeerSponge with wine vinegar and warm water, rinse well and wash as normal.
Cooking oil or fatIf oil or fat is fresh, sprinkle with talcum powder and gently work into the fabric. Leave for 30 minutes, then brush off. Wash the garment as normal with water, as hot as the garment will allow. Remaining stains can be treated by gently rubbing a small amount of Handy Andy or laundry soap into the stain. Leave for a few hours, then wash as normal.
DeodorantRub the stain with white vinegar on cotton wool. If this doesn’t work, soak the affected area in methylated spirits for an hour (hang upside down to ensure no contact is made with the rest of the garment). Wash as usual.
GrassSoak the garment overnight in a warm solution of washing concentrate. Wash as usual.
Red wineSoak garment overnight in laundry detergent dissolved in water, as hot as the garment will allow. Wash as usual.
once your clothes are washed and pressed, store them properly. If possible, replace wire hangers with firm plastic or lacquered wooden ones. Make sure your clothes are hung up straight, without pulling or putting too much pressure on any part of the garment. Make use of hanger tapes if the garment has them.
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